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Follow us on GoogleRichard Plugge is no longer the director of One Cycling. The Dutch team manager has been replaced in the project that aimed to bring about major reforms in the cycling world. That plan is still on the table and is trying to gain a foothold again under a new name, thanks to investments from Saudi Arabia.
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Plugge leads the highly successful Visma | Lease a Bike team
One cycling is a cross team body aiming to improve cycling
One Cycling consisted of several cycling teams, including Visma | Lease a Bike, as well as certain race organizers, such as Flanders Classics, the company behind many spring races. The goal was to give the sport a significant financial boost, but the UCI put a stop to it in mid-2025.
"The project was deemed incompatible with the UCI's administrative and regulatory framework and, moreover, lacked sporting coherence," the International Cycling Union stated at the time.
Plugge replaced by German motor sport specialist
In a letter that bordered on a threat, David Lappartient urged the participating parties to halt the project. If they failed to do so, teams and events could lose their UCI licenses.
Until recently, however, Plugge was still serving as the mastermind behind the plan, in his role as director. But Daniel Benson reports that the Dutchman stepped down on May 25.
Immediately after his departure, Oliver Ciesla was appointed as the new director. The German had previously been active in motorsports, among other things, and is a new name in cycling. And according to Benson, Plugge remains a supporter of the idea.
Richard Plugge stepped down as director of One Cycling.
New director, new name, and new plans for One Cycling
Meanwhile, One Cycling also has a new name. Under the banner of Collective Cycling Group, the organisation continues to try to steer the sport of cycling in a different direction.
Billionaire Ivan Glasenberg is one of the key investors. The South African already wields significant control over bicycle manufacturer Pinarello and is thus already connected to the sport. But the PIF also remains involved with CCG.
The PIF is a Saudi investment fund that already has a presence in various sports, such as soccer. It had previously sought to partner with the Giro d'Italia, but that deal fell through.
The war in Iran might weaken the fund somewhat, but according to Jeremy Whittle, the plan seems to be becoming increasingly realistic. The chances that the UCI will now support the idea, however, seem slim.
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- One Lombardia doesn’t tell us how Seixas will handle a full Grand Tour. I’d rather see him develop steadily than have every result turned into a Pogačar comparison.samanthak12-11-2026
- A fascinating career, but the article leans heavily on his side of the story. Were the three disqualifications all for the same equipment rule, or were there different issues each time?michael5412-11-2026
- I’m still not sure how the handlebar rules work. If another rider can rest their wrists on the bars, why was Van Schip disqualified for his position?jennifer1912-11-2026
- The UCI really needs clearer, consistently enforced rules on bike setups and riding positions. If Van Schip was being told different things from race to race, no wonder he got fed up.patriciaw12-11-2026
- Two world track titles and three pro wins is a serious career, whatever the controversies. Shame he felt the sport stopped listening to him. Hope Rotterdam gives him the send-off he deserves.tourdeforce912-11-2026
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- No ‘cross at all this winter? That’s a shame, but with his road season starting in February, I can see why he’d want a proper break. Does stepping away mean he’s done with cyclocross for good?gearguru3311-11-2026
- I like the honesty of that training post. Even the best riders feel the difference after a few weeks off, and he’s got plenty of time to build back up.samanthak11-11-2026
- Three sets of tyres in two days at the Nürburgring! The man clearly doesn’t do anything by halves. Bet a winter without cyclocross will feel strange, though.bikebuffj11-11-2026
- Fifth in the world rankings after that autumn run is some achievement. Pidcock was so aggressive at the Tour, too—hopefully he can turn a few of those near-misses into wins inpatriciaw11-11-2026